Bellone Invites Residents to Holiday Events

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone is inviting residents to enjoy the holiday season by joining celebrations and special events at several park sites around the county.

“Suffolk County has many amazing parks and sites of historical importance that everyone can enjoy throughout the year,” the County Executive said. “With the arrival of the holiday season, this is a great time to explore these places and enjoy all they have to offer.”

Among the special holiday events are:

The 27th annual Big Duck Lighting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 2, features Quacker Jack from the Long Island Ducks baseball team, the Friends of the Big Duck, the Flanders Fire Department, which is escorting Santa Claus, and the Riverhead Middle School Show Choir, which is performing for the 12th year. The National Register of Historic Places site is on Route 24 in Flanders.

The Deepwells Farm in St. James will host the 19th annual holiday boutique from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on two weekends, Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13. Thirty artisans will display their work, including painted Santas, pottery, candles, soaps, ornaments, stained glass and jewelry, at the decorated 1845 Greek Revival farm at 497 Route 25A, St. James. The boutique supports the Deepwells Farm Historical Society.

Visitors can tour the Sagtikos Manor Dec. 12-13 to learn how American presidents celebrated Christmas. Tours run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and reservations are recommended. Call 631-661-5169. Sagtikos Manor was built in 1697. The estate served as headquarters for the British Army on Long Island during the Revolutionary War. President George Washington stayed there during his tour of Long Island in 1790. The estate is on Montauk Highway at Manor Lane, West Bay Shore.

The Yaphank Historic District will be the starting point of a Christmas tour on Dec. 12, from 1-5 p.m. Visitors will meet at the first stop of the tour, the Swezey-Avey House on Coram-Yaphank Road in Yaphank and go on to tour Holden-Foley House, Wittman-Pol House, the Yaphank police garage, the Hawkins House, the Mary Louise Booth House and St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Call 631-924-4803 for more information. <